What are genital warts?

Genital warts are little 'bumps' of fleshy tissue which appear on the sex organs, and also quite often round the anus. They are acquired through sexual contact.

They are caused by various strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted by sexual activity with an infected person.

Warts can vary in colour, from pink to brown – depending largely on the shade of your skin.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

Genital warts have become endemic in the United Kingdom during the second decade of the 21st century.

The number of new cases seen in British genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics has increased by over 30 per cent since 1999. This is now the most common viral sexually transmitted disease in the UK.

In 2014, 71,000 men and 31,000 women were diagnosed with genital warts for the first time in English STD clinics - so men get it much more often than women. There were also around 70,000 cases of recurrent warts.

MOST POPULAR

In addition, an unknown number of patients were treated by private doctors or by GPs.

The highest rates were among women aged 16 to 19 and men aged 20 to 24.

What is the cause of these warts?

The vast majority of genital warts are caused by viruses passed on during sex. The viruses are mostly from the human papilloma virus (HPV) group, of which there are now known to be around 170 different strains.

The strains that cause genital warts are not the same ones which cause cancer of the cervix. But in some parts of the world (notably Australia), a particular brand of anti-HPV vaccine used to prevent cervical cancer is also effective against some wart-causing strains. So it is no surprise that in 2016 it's being claimed that the incidence of genital warts is falling in Australia.

What are the signs of genital warts?

Genital warts do not appear until at least two to four weeks after infection, and sometimes months pass before the warts become visible. It's often impossible to work out who you got them from.

Genital warts do not usually hurt, but they can sometimes be itchy and may occasionally bleed. They have a varied appearance, from completely flat warts to rough cauliflower-like projections. They can appear on their own or in groups.

In men, genital warts often appear on the penis and especially underneath the foreskin. The warts can also be situated in the urethra (the urinary pipe) and may be visible poking out of it. They can also appear in the area around the anus.

In females, genital warts appear on the lips of the vulva, in the vagina or near the urethral (urinary) opening. Genital warts can also appear in and around the female anus, especially if the woman has had rectal sex.

Good advice

Anyone in doubt as to whether they have warts, should get a check-up at their local GUM clinic.

A sudden and massive eruption of genital warts could suggest a defect in the immune system, possibly caused by HIV – anyone affected in this way should contact a doctor immediately.

How is a diagnosis of genital warts made?

Clinical examination.

To detect poorly visible genital warts the doctor will swab the area with acetic acid. This does not hurt. The genital warts will then show as white patches.

How are genital warts treated?

People are sometimes tempted to try and treat themselves, so they do things like cutting the warts off. We do not recommend this.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

There are two main ways of treating genital warts:

chemical methods

physical removal by a skilled doctor.

Chemical methods

This is often referred to as 'topical treatment'. In this case, the word 'topical' means 'on the surface'. Various applications can be used:

Podophyllotoxin paint or cream (Condyline). This is applied to the warts twice daily for thee days. After that, the doctor may recommend weekly application for four or five weeks.

Imiquimod (Aldara). Usually, this cream is applied in a thin layer, three times a week fror up to four months. About six hours after each application, wash the cream off.

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This is good for treating small, hard warts. Because it can easily damage the skin, it must only be applied by the doctor or nurse at the clinic, usually once a week. Do not attempt to apply it yourself.

All these applications can have side-effects, and the clinic will tell you about them.

Physical methods

These should only be carried out by a doctor who is experienced in the removal of warts, such as a health professional at a GUM clinic:

excision – ie, cutting the warts out

cryotherapy – ie, freezing

electrotherapy (diathermy) – using a hot probe to burn away the wart

laser surgery – sometimes used to remove warts that are difficult to access because they are deep inside the rectum, vagina or urinary pipe (urethra).

Don't have any kind of sex with anybody until your doctor advises it is safe to do so.

Outlook

There is a risk that your warts will return after treatment. However, often there's only one outbreak, and you may never be troubled by them again.

If you're a woman, it's a good idea to make sure you have have regular smear tests (cervical screening).

There have been reliable suggestions that some strains of HPV might be linked to cancer of the mouth and throat in the middle or later life, and this is now looking increasingly likely.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

Getting healthy just got a whole lot easier

Don't miss out on the latest healthy living news and inspiration direct to your inbox.

Enter your email address:

this is a test error

We will also let you know about discounts and great offers from us, tick this box if you'd rather not know about these.
Hearst Partners would like to let you know about some of their fantastic discounts, special offers, and promotions. We promise you wont be bombarded. Tick here if you would like to receive these.